Collapsible bow-top for vehicles.



W. T. BAKER.

COLLAPSIBLE BOW TOP FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 25, I915.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

WITNESSES:

THE COLUMBIA PLAIyOGRAPu co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

WILLIAM THOMAS BAKER, or 'J'AcKsoN, MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

contarsrmnnowaor FOB VEHICLES.

Applicationfiled September 25, 1915. Serial No. 52,729.

Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM THOMAS BAKER, a citizenof the United States, resid ing at Jackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsi .ble Bow-Tops for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toimprovements in collapsible bow tops for vehicles.

now commonly designated by the trade as one-man top.

The main objects of my invention are: First, to provide an improved collapsible top which may be quickly and conveniently erected or collapsed and one which is well adapted to withstand the strains to which it is subject in use and is not likely to sag or become distorted. Second, to provide animproved top having these advantages which is also supported in its collapsed position so that the covering is not likely to be worn by the chafing of the bows. 1

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

' I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

V A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a detail vertical, longitudinal section of a structure embodying the features of my invention adapted as an automobile top, the means for securing the front end of the top when erected not being shown..-

able brackets are well known in the trade.

The rear bow 3 is pivotally mounted on the main bow 1 at 4 near the lower end thereof. Links 5 are pivotally mounted on the main bow 1 at6 near the top thereof to project forwardly, there being a link at each side of the top. The front or out-rigger bow 7, as it issometimes designated, is pivotally mounted on the front ends of the links 5 at 8. An intermediate bow or auxiliary outrigger bow 9 is pivotally mounted on the links 5 at 10, the pivot 10 being between the My improved top is especially designed by. me for use on automobiles and is of the type link pivots 6 and the front bow pivots S. The bows 7 and 9 are connected by braces.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. I and II the braces are jointed braces consisting of links 11 and 12 connected to each other by the pivots 13, the links 11 being pivoted to the front bow by the pivots 14 while the links 12 are connected to the intermediate how 9 by the pivots 15. The members 11 of these braces are provided with stops 16 which support the braces in their extended position. The front bow is provided with therstop arms 17 which project laterally from the pivots 8 to coact with the stops 18, on the intermediate bow 9 when the top is erected or with the stops 19 on the rear bow 3 when the top is collapsed, see Fig. II. These stop arms and stops, together with the braces 11 effectively support the front and intermediate bows when the top is erected and prevent sagging thereof.

The means for connecting the front bow to the-vehicle when the top is erected are not shown as suitable devices for this purpose are in use and form no part of my present invention.

.When the top is collapsed the stop arms 17 engage the stops 19 supporting the bows in a separated position so that they do not chafe or rub the covering 20. When the top is collapsed the links 5 swing downwardly Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

at -thefro'nt of the main bow the intermediate 9 swings rearwardly to the side, while the front bows swing rearwardly at the side of the intermediate bow.

In the modified structure shown in Fig. III solid braces 21 are substituted for the jointed braces, the stops 18 being located on the braces. The stops 19 are in this em bodiment located on the main bow.

My improved top is comparatively simple in structure and is easily erected and collapsed and when collapsed is rigid and not likely to sag or become distorted and is well adapted to withstand the racking strains to which it is subjected when in use.

A further advantage as stated, is that the top when collapsed is so supported that there is no chafing or wear on the cover.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1, In a collapsible top, the combinationof a pivotally mounted main bow, a rear bow pivotally mounted on said main bow at its lower end, links pivotally mounted on said main bow nearthe top thereof to project forwardly therefrom when the top is erected and to collapse at the side thereof when the top is collapsed, a front bow pivotally mounted at the front ends of said links, said front bow having stop arms eX- tending laterally beyond its pivots, an intermediate bow pivotally mounted on said links between said main and front bows and provided with stops with which said stop arms on said front bow engage when the top is erected, and jointed braces connecting said intermediate and front bows, said rear bow being provided with stops with which 7 is erected and to collapse at the side thereof when the top is collapsed, a front bow pivotally mounted at the front ends of said links, said front bow having stop arms extending laterally beyond its pivots, an intermediate bow pivotally mounted on said links between said main and front bows and provided with stops with which said stop arms on said front'bow engage when the top is erected, and braces connecting said intermediate and front bows, said rear; bow

being provided with stops with which said stop arms engage when the top is collapsed. 3. In a collapsible top, the combination of a pivotally mounted main how, a rear bow pivotally mounted on said main bow at its lower end, links pivotally mounted on Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 0.

said main bow to projectlforwardly therefrom when thetop is erected and to collapse at the side'thereof when the top is collapsed, afront bow pivotally mounted I V at the front ends of said links andprovided with stop arms, an intermediate bow pivoting said front and intermediate bows, stops ally mounted on said links, braces econnect connected to said intermediate bow and with V which said stop arms engage when erected and stops connected to said main bow and with which said "arms engage when the top is collapsed.

4-. In a collapsible top, the combination 7 of a pivotally mounted main bow, links piv-.-

otally mounted on said main bow to project forwardly therefrom when the'top is erected and to collapse at the sides thereof when the top is collapsed, a front bow pivotally mounted at the-front end of said links and provided with laterally projecting stop arms, an intermediate bow pivotally mounted on said links, braces connecting said front and intermediate bows, and stops connected i to said intermediate bow and with which said stop arms engage when the top is erected.

5. In a collapsible top, the combination 7 of a pivotally mounted main how, a rear bow pivotally mounted on said main'b'o-w at the lower end thereof, links pivotally mounted on said main bow to project forwardly i:

therefrom when the" top is erected and to collapsed, a front bow pivotally mounted at the front ends :of said links and'provided collapse at the side thereof when the top is with stop arms, an intermediate; bowrpiv otally mounted on said links and provided with stops with which said armsl engage when the top is erected, and braces connecting said front and intermediate bows;

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 7 my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIA THOMAS BAKER.

Witnesses: JOHN B. RICHARDS, or FRANK RUsHToN.

Commissioner of Patents, 

